French forces met no resistance Wednesday in Kidal, Islamists' last major town, as the 2-week-old mission scored another success in its effort to dislodge the al-Qaida-linked militants from northern Mali. The capture of Kidal came just days after French and Malian forces retook two other provincial capitals, Gao and Timbuktu, that also were under harsh Islamic rule nearly 10 months. Many fear the Islamists will attempt to hide in small outlying villages and return and attack once the French are gone.

Phoenix

Gunman sought in triple shooting

A gunman opened fire at an office complex Wednesday, killing one person, wounding two others and setting off a manhunt. The gunman was identified as Arthur Harmon, 70. Police said Harmon opened fire at the end of a mediation session over a lawsuit he filed against a call center. Its CEO, Steven Singer, 48, was killed. A lawyer representing Singer was injured, his law firm said.

Elsewhere

Harrisburg, Pa.: Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky lost a bid for a new trial Wednesday when a judge rejected lawyers' argument that they didn't have ample time to prepare his defense. He was convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse.

Boston: Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick named former aide William Cowan to serve as interim U.S. senator until a successor for John Kerry is chosen in a special election June 25.

Chicago: Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, 78, was released from prison Wednesday to serve the final months of his sentence for corruption at home.

South Korea: Seoul launched a satellite from its own soil for the first time Wednesday and said today it is working normally and transmitting data on its orbit.